Kobe and Jordan Autographed Card Sells for $12.9M

Published on August 26th, 2025 8:31 pm EST
Written By: Dave Manuel


A rare piece of sports history just changed hands for a staggering $12.9 million. An investing group, led by "Shark Tank" star Kevin O'Leary, better known as Mr. Wonderful, has purchased a Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan dual-autographed card.

The sports card market has seen plenty of eye-popping deals in recent years, but this one immediately stands out. Why? Two of the greatest names in basketball on one card. Kobe. Jordan. Both signed. Rarity drives value, and this card checks every box.

O'Leary has been vocal about alternative assets, and this deal fits perfectly into that strategy. He's called collectibles a hedge and a diversification play. Instead of stocks or bonds, you have tangible pieces tied to cultural icons. But $12.9 million is not a hedge for the average investor. It's a bold, headline-grabbing statement from a group that clearly believes in the future of sports memorabilia.

The surge in values is not slowing down. Record sales for Jordan rookies, LeBron patches, and Tom Brady cards have dominated headlines. Kobe Bryant items, especially after his tragic death in 2020, have soared in value. Combine Kobe with Jordan, the undisputed king of the hobby, and you have a unicorn card.

Skeptics will ask: is this sustainable? Sports cards had a massive boom in 2020 and 2021 before cooling. But the top end of the market remains strong. Investors are chasing pieces of sports history, and the biggest names still command premiums. Jordan and Kobe are in that ultra-rare tier.

The $12.9 million price tag puts this card in elite company. Consider that the Honus Wagner T206, long considered the crown jewel of collecting, sold for $7.25 million in 2022. Mickey Mantle's 1952 Topps sold for $12.6 million. O'Leary's group just topped them.

Sales like this reinforce a trend: the ultra-wealthy are competing for rare, one-of-a-kind assets. Supply is locked. Demand is global. And as long as Kobe and Jordan remain cultural giants, this card will be seen as more than just cardboard. It's a status symbol, a store of value, and potentially, an appreciating asset.